Friday, May 8, 2015

Gaudi in Barcelona by Margot Justes

If you love architecture, and whimsical work that makes you
smile, feel happy and celebrate life, then there is no better place for you than
Barcelona. That is where you’ll find Antoni Gaudi’s work, and where you will
commune with nature in a most wonderful way.

There are the Dali, Picasso and Miro museums, but Gaudi’s
work alone is worth a trip to Barcelona, many of his buildings were designated
World Heritage Sites. In 1878 upon receiving his degree, the Director of the School
of Architecture of Barcelona, said. “I don’t know if we have given this
qualification to a madman or a genius, only time will tell.” Time has told, an unequivocal
original genius.

Gaudi is considered a major contributor to the ‘Catalan Modernism’
style of architecture, and the leading proponent of the Art Nouveau movement, but
the end result refuses to be qualified as anything but ‘Gaudi’. His style cannot
really be classified, it’s unique, extravagant, original, earthy, beyond whimsy,
and simply stunning.

Gaudi was born in 1852 and died in a tram accident in 1926.
His last days were spent at his most famous unfinished work, La Sagrada Familia.
There is hope that it will be finished by the 100th anniversary of his death,
in 2026. He left enough detailed information that the basilica can be
completed, and with public donations it is a work in progress.

The interior of La Sagrada Familia is now open to the
public, and the use of light from above and through the stained glass windows
is mesmerizing. The columns reach the top to support the structure, and it
reflects his love of nature, showing a dazzling and lively interpretation of a
forest with branches reaching for the light.

His use of ceramic tile, wood, wrought iron, brick, colorful
paint results in a stroll through a fantasy, as can be witnessed in the
Pedrera, and Casa Batllo buildings, as well as La Sagrada Familia, and Park
Guell, where a serpentine bench provides a respite, along with a pure sense of
joy.

His work is truly amazing, and once you’ve seen it, you’ll want
to see it again, and never forget it.